Police to enforce order during fluvial procession

By Paulo DS. Papa

In response to the unruly behavior of some voyadores observed during the Traslacion procession last Friday, Sept. 12, the Naga City Police Office (NCPO) announced that it will enforce Ordinance No. 2016-039 during the Fluvial foot procession on Saturday, Sept. 20, the bisperas of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

NCPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Col. Chester Pomar, in an interview, cited the ordinance titled:

“An Ordinance Revising Ordinance No. 261, s. 1964 and Ordinance No. 92-060, Prohibiting Tumults, Drunkenness or Intoxication, or Behavior in a Drunken, Boisterous, Rude or Indecent Manner in Any Public Place or Place Open to Public View, Disorderly Gathering in Public Places, and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.”

The ordinance was authored by former councilor Salvador Del Castillo.

Pomar said Naga’s top cop, Police Col. Gilbert Fariñas, NCPO acting city director, ordered the strict implementation of the ordinance. This includes the arrest of intoxicated voyadores who cause disorder or commit scandalous acts during the procession—especially in the presence of the images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and El Divino Rostro.

He added that the implementation will involve the apprehension of voyadores who commit any disruptive or inappropriate acts during the procession on Saturday.

Pomar advised the public to promptly report individuals who act disrespectfully or cause disturbances during the event, which should be observed with reverence as a sacred occasion for thousands of Catholic pilgrims attending the Peñafrancia fiesta.

Since Friday, the Joint Operation Center has recorded ten voyadores who acted unruly during the Traslacion. The organization is currently identifying these individuals to summon them and hold them accountable for their behavior.

Meanwhile, Pomar confirmed that the city-wide liquor ban—requested earlier by police authorities from the city government ahead of the Traslacion—was not approved.

However, the city-wide gun ban, along with the suspension of the License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residences (PCFOR), remains in effect.

He disclosed that, as of now, no violations of the gun ban have been recorded by the city police during the novena for Our Lady of Peñafrancia.